Thousands of words have been written about the special attraction of iPhones, and, indeed, about the special attraction of the most products churned out from the Apple workshop. Most reviewers deem that some of Apple releases have captured the imagination of the masses (and made otherwise normal people queue for hours to be the first to own them) thanks to a combination of exceptional design, clever marketing and that elusive j’ne sais quois which turns a mere tool into a fashion statement and a status symbol.

All of the above would be pretty useless if the tools in question were not a joy to use. Of course, not all users of all models of iPhones are happy with their gadgets. Some even found some models very exasperating. Overall, however, enough customers were happy enough with their iPhones to keep this device in the very top of their class.

The Apple iPhone is not just a phone - it is a phone, music player, video player, internet device and camera all in one. When the first version hit the market in June 2007, it created unprecedented hype.

More than two years and several versions later, the hype has subsided, but not the yearning of the consumers to own an iPhone.

Apple iPhone 3G

The iPhone 3G was released in July 2008, about one year after the first iPhones were introduced, and marked a big leap from the previous model. It came with a mildly tweaked design (it’s difficult to improve on perfection!) and lots of new features: access to a faster 3G wireless network, Microsoft Exchange server e-mail and support for an extensive array of third-party software from the iPhone Applications Store. In short - the new iPhone handset set a new benchmark for the cell phone world.

iPhone 3G specs at a glance:

Capacity: 8GB

Display: 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display

Audio playback

Video playback

Camera: 2MP

Assisted GPS

Wi-Fi

Cellular

Battery duration: Talk time: Up to 5 hours on 3G; Up to 10 hours on 2G. Standby time: Up to 300 hours. Internet use: up to 5 hours on 3G; Up to 6 hours on Wi-Fi. Video playback: Up to 7 hours. Audio playback: Up to 24 hours

The good: The Apple iPhone 3G supports the high-speed 3G networks, third-party applications, and expanded e-mail. The call quality is improved in comparison with the previous model. It continues to deliver an excellent music and video experience.

The bad: The iPhone 3G still lacks some basic features that are available on other cell phones, like multimedia messaging. Some tests found that the battery life was uneven and that the 3G connection tended to be shaky.

The verdict: A big improvement over the original model, but consumers will have to wait for the next version to get all the features they want to have on their iPhone.

In June 2009, one year after the appearance of the 3G version, Apple announced the iPhone 3GS. While this model does not make the same grand leap that the iPhone 3G made from the first-generation model, Apple gave customers what they long clamoured for.

iPhone 3GS specs at a glance:

Capacity: 16GB or 32GB

Display: 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display

Audio playback

Video Playback

Camera: 3MP

Assisted GPS

Digital compass

Wi-Fi

Cellular

Battery duration: Talk time: Up to 12 hours on 2G; Up to 5 hours on 3G. Standby time: Up to 300 hours. Internet use: Up to 5 hours on 3G, up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi. Video playback: Up to 10 hours. Audio playback: Up to 30 hours

The good: The iPhone 3GS finally incorporated common cell phone features like multimedia messaging, video recording, and voice dialling. It is faster than the previous model and its battery life is longer.

The bad: The call quality still needs improving and the 3G signal reception remains uneven. Moreover, features like Flash Lite, USB transfer and storage and multitasking are still missing.

The verdict: Despite some important still missing features, slow data network and mediocre call quality, the Apple iPhone 3GS once again set a new benchmark in its class.

Even though the 3GS model brings enough new features to warrant an upgrade, there are reviewers who recommend waiting – for rumours about an iPhone 4.0 are rife.

At the beginning of November 2009, the so-called “reliable sources” let it be known that Apple could be testing next generation iPhones equipped with RFID (radio frequency identification). This technology promises to simplify device discovery and synchronisation. A user could just bring her or his iPhone close to another RFID-equipped device (like a next generation Mac) - and the two would start talking to each other and exchanging data. Now, that is something that customers would really love!

Another potential use of the RFID iPhone is in payments. Your iPhone 4.0 could become a mobile credit card machine. Or it could be used as a credit card itself – enabling you to pay for your iPhone with… your iPhone.

And in these rumours may lie another reason for iPhone’s continued success story. The recipe seems to be: keep things under the wrap, but let some rumours, somehow, leak out - right into the ears of the ardent, impatiently waiting masses.